Thursday, March 12, 2015

Once Pure (Shattered Past #3) by Cecy Robson

Once Pure (Shattered Past #3)Once Pure by Cecy Robson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sofia Tres Santos was brought up in a very abusive family; her father was a monster who kept Sofia, her mother and siblings living in fear. While her brother and sister found a way out Sofia ended up lost and scared staying with her mother not feeling as brave as her siblings. Sofia’s innocence is ripped away one terrible night, making her terrors worse than ever. Now, as an adult, she’s decided it’s time to rebuild what she lost. This decision takes her to the MMA gym owned by her childhood friend and secret crush Killian O’Brien. Sofia has always loved Killian from a far never having the nerve to tell him her heart's desires. Always inseparable as children Killian and Sofia had shared an innocent bond. However, he was a few years older than her and grew up leaving Sofia behind. But she never stopped caring for him and wanting him in her life, is she brave enough to pursue an adult relationship with him? Or are her secrets too shameful for her to ever feel worthy of his love?

Killian O’Brien has only one regret, not protecting Sofia Tres Santos the girl who always had his heart when she needed him the most. Sofia has suffered too much in her life and he never wants her to suffer again. When she agrees to work at his mixed martial arts gym, Killian takes this as a sign, it’s time to show Sofia she’s his girl and he plans on claiming her. He has no problem taking it as slow as she needs to go as long as it means he gets to have her in his life and in his bed.

This series grabbed me from book one and didn’t let go. I loved Mateo and Evie’s story and couldn’t wait to read Lety and Brody’s story. Both of them featured, quick glimpses of Killian and Sofia. Every time I read about the brief moments this couple shared, I was eager to get to read their story. Once Pure is by far my favorite of the series. I loved how Killian wanted Sofia so badly, but he was willing to take it as slow as she needed. Their love building as they explored and learned new things about each other as adults. Reading this book was emotional and thrilling, it had me crying for Sofia one minute and cheering for her growing strength in the next minute. Killian and Sofia explore each other sexually taking it slow considering Sofia’s traumatic past. Those sex scenes were steamy and yet tender at the same time. Very well written, respecting the fact that Sofia was a victim of rape and it would not be easy for her to enter into any kind of sexual relationship.

It was not an easy journey for this couple to get their happily ever after, but it was so worth the ride.
In the end, I felt that before they could truly be together they both needed to find the strength to leave the past behind and move forward towards a brighter future. The only thing I wished for as I read was Killian’s point of view; I got my wish in the form of a fabulous epilogue. I adore epilogues especially when they tie up the couple’s story so neatly. I loved the entire O’Brien family and I am pleased to say the author plans on continuing the series focusing on the O’Brien clan. Finn O’Brien was a great character hiding his pain behind jokes and alcohol. Wren their sister is tough as nails but I could sense she had a story to tell as well as Curran and Declan O’Brien. Cecy Robson easily has become one of my favorite authors she develops deep characters with real problems and real flaws.

If you are looking for a book with a love story that is genuine and meaningful this is the one for you. You don’t have to read the other books in the series, but I definitely recommend you read all of them. Each couple has a great story that you will fall in love with.

Received and ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review




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Cover Reveal - Emerged - The Life of Anna Part Five by Marissa Honeycutt

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Title:Emerged
Author:  Marissa Honeycutt
Release Date: April 2015
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Anna has escaped from Devin. Now she must learn what it is to live without a master. Yet Devin will not let her go so easily, his power depends on what he takes from her.
Will Anna's freedom last? Can she even learn to live as a free woman? Is Devin’s power too great for her to escape?
There is a subculture within our own world that you’ve only heard whispers of. The conspiracy theorists wish they knew Anna’s story. What the conspiracy theorists think they know is only disinformation, put out there to keep them from the real story.
***NOTE***
This is not a stand-alone novel. This is the final of five novels that tell Anna’s story.
***WARNING***
This book is for grownups. This book is not for people who are easily offended, get nightmares easily, or have difficulty reading books about tough subjects. I do not glorify bad things, but bad things do happen to my poor characters. This is not your typical love story. My heroine does not fall in love and live happily ever after... at least not like the typical heroine. There is a happily ever after, but it is a long, painful journey to that end.
This book will likely offend you. This book might make you cry; it might make you throw up. It is a dark book. As my friend, Heidi, said, “It’s dark. It gets darker. It gets even darker, and then it gets even more darker. And then, just when you think it can’t get any darker, it does.”
But, don’t worry. I take you to the deep end gradually. ;)
There are many sexual situations in this series of books. People die. People get hurt. Things aren’t always truly the way they appear. The antagonist isn’t just a bad guy; he’s EVIL. My heroine’s worldview is skewed; things that may appall you are perfectly normal to her.
Any violence in this book is non-gratuitous and crucial to the plot and character development.
Do not read this if you are under the age of consent in your country. Do not get angry if the subject or actual book upsets you. If you're reading this, you've been warned.
Other books in the series:
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The Life of Anna, Part 1: Enslaved
Anna's entire life was scripted out before she was born by Devin Andersen, a man who doesn't have her best interests in mind. She is to be a tool in his hands to gain ultimate power in the USA. No, not as the President, but as the man who controls the President.
Raised by an extremely abusive guardian, Anna was molded into the perfect sex slave for Devin's use. Devin will use Anna's unique gifts to control everyone around him and eventually take her gifts for himself.
When Devin took her for himself at the age of twelve, she had a vision of a man. A man who Devin was very interested in. But why? Why would Devin care about a little girl's dreams?
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The Life of Anna, Part 2: Entwined
Anna has two masters, one she hardly knows, but who makes her feel safe, the other she's known all her life and says he needs her.
Alex wants her to be free.
Devin demands her obedience.
As Anna takes her first steps into the world, into love, into friendship, she wonders if she will ever understand either of them.
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The Life of Anna, Part 3: Embraced
Devin has achieved his goal of becoming Chairman and all seems peaceful...until Devin performs an act of cruelty that pushes Anna to fight back for the first time in her life. Meanwhile, Alex is working hard to give her something that Devin can never take away.
As her Masters work around her, Anna must navigate a life she never wanted.
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The Life of Anna, Part 4: Ensnared
Everything Anna cared about is lost; the only thing left is Devin. She gives him all of herself, but even that seems too little.
As Anna realizes the truth of her Master's desire, she must decide what it is that she truly wants.
There is a subculture within our own world that you’ve only heard whispers of. The conspiracy theorists wish they knew Anna’s story. What the conspiracy theorists think they know is only disinformation, put out there to keep them from the real story.
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The Life of Anna: all five books in one ebook

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Marissa's story of Anna began with a dream about being kidnapped with Adam Savage from Mythbusters (Yes, really). Over the next year and a half, it morphed into the story that is now known as "The Life of Anna." She has several other stories in progress, one of which is based on her kidnapped dream.
When she's not writing or editing, Marissa is taking care of two young boys, training to be an astronaut, running her household, wrestling with gorillas, playing around on Facebook, promoting whirled peas, and busting her tush for her accounting degree. She enjoys chocolate, air conditioning in the desert's summer heat, really good strawberry margaritas, sleeping, and shopping.
Author Goodreads Page   ~ Twitter: @marihoneycutt ~  Facebook Author Page
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